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Wayzata Senior Serves as Father Figure to Son of Slain Officer

4:51 PM | Wednesday, May 2, 2018

As the school year winds down, it’s no surprise to find some of the seniors taking an easier course load. At least that’s the way Drew Galinson sees it.

“Last semester, we’re kind of sliding a little bit,” said Galinson, a Wayzata High School Senior. “Taking some easier classes which, after junior year is pretty deserved I think from everybody. Especially with the kind of classes that Wayzata has to offer.”

It’s a solid argument from someone who carries a 3.7 grade point average.

Outside of the classroom, Galinson helped lead the Wayzata boys’ soccer team to a state title this year. He was also one of the star players on the basketball team that made it to the state tournament two years in a row.

“It’s been unbelievable,” Galinson said. “Like, I know I’m going to have these memories when I’m old.”

Wayzata’s Head Basketball Coach Bryan Schnettler calls Galinson a leader and a positive role model.

“He’s been a special kid to have in our program,” Schnettler said. “He’s a great athlete and does really well academically. But it’s more the kind of personal touch he puts on everybody he meets.”

That personal touch applies to the playing field, the classroom, and beyond the walls of Wayzata High School.

“Especially, with the youth,” Galinson said. “Just seeing them around and saying ‘hey.’ I remember being young, and high school athletes seemed like pro athletes to me, and having that impact on people is really cool.”

Yet the impact he made on one little boy stands out above the rest.

Last summer, Wayzata Police officer Bill Mathews was killed in the line of duty by a distracted driver with cocaine in her system. Mathews left behind a 7-year-old son named Wyatt.

Galinson, is Wyatt’s neighbor, and since the tragedy, he has taken Wyatt under his wing.

“My dad was very influential in my life, and growing up,” Galinson said. “And just having somebody to throw a ball with, or go fishing with. Little things like that make the biggest difference.”

Little things can go a long way, and Galinson is helping to fill that void in Wyatt’s life.

“It’s just something I felt like I had to do,” Galinson said. “And he’s a great kid. Don’t get me wrong, he’s one of the best kids I know. Great sense of humor, even after all this. He’s an amazing kid.”

An amazing kid with an amazing mentor to look up to.

“Wyatt’s lucky to have someone like Drew live close to him and be able to interact with him and have a great role model in his life like Drew,” Coach Schnettler said.

Galinson said he expects his relationship with Wyatt to be life long, and the two plan to go fishing a lot this summer.

As for Galinson’s future, he plans to attend the University of Minnesota in the fall.

CCX Media is a service of Northwest Community Television serving the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.